  Nine Months Later
      "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you are pregnant."
      "Why?", Caro shrieked.
      "You're getting fat in all the right places, your skin is much brighter... and you're getting taller too."
      "Oh come on, Trisha. Just say you're jealous."
      "True that. If I could have a backside like yours..."
      "Ah!"
      "What?"
      "There are children in this house!"
      "Don't children have backsides? Or should I could it rump, bum, buttocks..."
      Caro covered her ears with her palms.
      "You're acting like you're one of the children."
      "I'm a Christian."
      "Really? Last time I checked, there was a lot of fucking in the Bible."
      "Oh God, Trisha," Caro moaned in frustration. "Why can't you say something righteous?!"
      "I'd be righteous if Absalom didn't bang his father's concubines in public for all Israel to see."
      "Goo

  Running low and barefoot through the deep gutter, she was able to evade the soldiers stationed on the street. It was night already and she tramped in the direction where she knew there would be more people and traffic.
      The unrelenting evening breeze was chilly and she could feel the cold all over her exposed arms. She had no choice but to hug herself as she walked. Having spent so much time behind closed doors, living the good life, she had almost lost touch with nature. The elements were affecting her more than ever in her life. She was never one to feel cold from contact with such breeze, but here she was, shaking like a marionette in action. Before long, her teeth would begin to chatter like castanets and being alone in such a condition was quite risky. She had to get to a busy area, fast.
      Her entire body was crawling with goosebumps from the cold when Caro finally sight

  Rebecca was ill at ease as she switched focus from the clock to the door and back again to the clock. She could not sit still and in one position. She crossed her legs, uncrossed them; folded her hands, unfolded them; put them under her chin, placed them on her lap... until Chief could no longer ignore her.
      "Woman, calm down!", he scolded.
      "I'm calm na, Chief," she grumbled, shifting to yet another position. He simply shook his head and leaned back on the sofa.
      "When will they come na?", Rebecca murmured, looking at the clock for the upteenth time.
      "They said ten. Is it ten yet?"
      "It's almost ten na. W..."
      "Look, Rebecca. If you cannot wait in silence, go and take sleeping medicine. Your pro..."
      "Chief, Chief, shhh! I think they're here."
      "Who's where?"
      But she was already on her feet and making for the door. He shook his head in pi

Nine Months Later
      "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you are pregnant."
      "Why?", Caro shrieked.
      "You're getting fat in all the right places, your skin is much brighter... and you're getting taller too."
      "Oh come on, Trisha. Just say you're jealous."
      "True that. If I could have a backside like yours..."
      "Ah!"
      "What?"
      "There are children in this house!"
      "Don't children have backsides? Or should I could it rump, bum, buttocks..."
      Caro covered her ears with her palms.
      "You're acting like you're one of the children."
      "I'm a Christian."
      "Really? Last time I checked, there was a lot of fucking in the Bible."
      "Oh God, Trisha," Caro moaned in frustration. "Why can't you say something righteous?!"
      "I'd be righteous if Absalom didn't bang his father's concubines in public for all Israel to see."
      "Good night," Caro said and promptly got to her feet.
      "The night is good," Trisha s

Chapter 17